SUMMARY
The Dockers have an opportunity this week to recapture some of their early season form against the Blues. However, Carlton has a very good recent record against the Dockers at Domain Stadium. The Blues have won two of the past three and nearly beat the Dockers last year. The Dockers will be looking to kick a big score while the Blues need to find an avenue to goal against one of the best backlines in the competition. It seems a mismatch on paper but the Blues can take heart from the performance of the Brisbane Lions against Fremantle a fortnight ago.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, July 18, 5.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R19, 2014, Fremantle 12.11 (83) d Carlton 11.12 (78) at Subiaco Oval
R19, 2013, Fremantle 17.14 (116) d Carlton 12.8 (80) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2012, Carlton 10.5 (65) d Fremantle 7.15 (57) at Subiaco Oval
R21, 2011, Carlton 16.19 (115) d Fremantle 12.13 (85) at Subiaco Oval
R22, 2010, Fremantle 13.15 (93) d Carlton 13.9 (87) at Subiaco Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Lachie Neale kicked the winning goal with less than a minute remaining in the round 19 meeting last year. Nat Fyfe collected three Brownlow votes with 28 possessions and two goals.
2. The Dockers have struggled to score in their past five matches, averaging only 66 points per game.
3. Both teams have been strong in the clearances in 2015. The Dockers are ranked first in the AFL for total clearances averaging 42.9. The Blues are third for centre clearances with an average of 13.7.
4. The Blues have beaten the Dockers in two of their past meetings at Domain Stadium and fell five points short of winning three out of three in round 19 last year.
5. The Dockers are No.1 team for hit-outs in 2015, averaging 61 per game. The Blues are ranked 12th with an average of 40.7.
6. The highest-ranked forward from either side on the Official AFL Player ratings is Michael Walters (108). Lachie Henderson (121) is the highest ranked Blues forward.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Matthew Pavlich
The Dockers skipper has only kicked four goals in the past five weeks but he's had 13 shots. He's been finding a bit of the football but a bag of goals would do him, and the team, a world of good.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by 30 points
